A Different Kind of Free ~ By Dionna Sanchez

What is it that makes you feel free?

Freedoms are rare luxuries for moms.  We have to share everything, it seems.  Our car gets taken over, we share our time, our items (down to our own hairbrush), we share our bed, and we even share the bathroom when we think that the toilet might provide us a few minutes of alone time!

So, what is it that gives you some freedom? It's different for everyone, you know.  Teenagers hold on to things because it helps them tap into feeling like they have some independence - some freedom.  For some it might be a cell phone, for others it could be driving privileges or a car. Whatever it is, it is something that they crave and something they feel they need, to help them gain a little more control of their own life.

It's no different for us.  In fact, sometimes, maybe moms crave that independence and freedom a little bit more.  After all, we share every bit of our life and are on-call for 24 hours - freedoms are something that we yearn for but often deny ourselves.  But they are pivotal in helping us regroup and tap back into who we are as people.

I discovered recently what two of my "freedom" vices are. They are my laptop and my I-pod.  My laptop helps me feel free because it is one of the rare things I have that I have complete control of.  Nobody else tampers with how I situate things like in the rest of the house.  I can organize it just the way I want it.  I can organize my files, my ministry, my photos, music, and anything else - just the way I want them on my laptop.  I can write and say what I want to say.  And that gives me a little bit of much-needed freedom.

My I-pod also gives me some freedom.  I discovered that recently when it went missing for almost a whole day. I am pretty responsible with my things (only to have them borrowed by precious sticky fingers in my household) and so I knew I had left it on my desk.  I went to run an errand and went to grab it and it was not there.  I called my husband at work and he had seen it last on my desk as well.  My girls were at school so I couldn't talk to them about it until they got home.  I looked everywhere and got increasingly concerned as the day went on, that it had been stolen.  You see, we'd had a repairman in the house the previous day.  Of course, I wanted to be thorough and not accuse anyone who might be innocent.  Which was a good thing because when my husband got home - he found it in a spot that I'm not known to put things.  My girls denied touching it as well.  And I didn't really care - it was found! I was so elated.

You see, I discovered that my I-pod gave me some much sought-after freedom. It held songs that were important to my heart.  Songs that inspired me, helped me search out my soul, talk to God, and reminisce.  It helped me get back in touch with who I am and what I believe about life and myself.  And that is something that I need.  When you give of yourself so much (as moms do), you need something left for yourself!  That is what little "freedoms" can give you!  They help you discover things about yourself.  They invite you to explore your own being.  And that is why they are so needed.  Because without them, we lose touch of who we are.  We forget what we want to stand for and be about.  We lose our way and we lose a little bit of ourselves.

Find what brings you a little bit of freedom into your life.  Maybe it's private reading time, or a special walk you can take.  Maybe it's your morning devotions or prayer time or something as fun as aerobics or spin class.  It could be an item like two of mine are.  Maybe your freedom will come in the form of a horse, or a painting.  Whatever it is, hold onto it deep into your soul.  Soak up the feelings and the lessons you gain from that freedom and thank the Lord for allowing you to have that little piece of "something" to keep you grounded to who He made you be.  No one need know what you hold so special to your heart; it can be between you and God.  And some day, when the house is a little bit quieter and the days seem longer - more freedoms may gradually creep back into your life again.

But for today, tap into that "thing" that helps you close your eyes, and feel the wind soar in your heart.  And remember - it's called "freedom."  It's okay to want it and it's okay to need it.  So grab hold.

~ Dionna Sanchez feels free when she listens to music that touches her inner soul.  But she does choose to share that soul with so many other women in life - through her writing.  Visit her blog today and catch a peek - at http://beautyinthestorm.blogspot.com